Geelong’s forward line is dangerous

Geelong earned their first win of the season with a dominant display kicking 10.7.67 against the fighting Tigers’ 7.3.45 in sunny Bendigo. The Cats were commanding around the contest with their quick dynamic movement allowing for the ball to come into their forward 50 fast and often.

They had 33 inside 50’s compared to Richmond’s 18, making it hard for the yellow and black to defend against Geelong’s tall forward line who took advantage of this movement taking 10 marks inside 50 to Richmond’s five.

Their second quarter was particularly impressive as they kicked six goals and continuously put pressure on Richmond who were unable to get the ball into their forward line. Georgia Clarke, Richelle Cranston and Kate Darby combined for five goals and seven marks in a dominant display up front as Richmond struggled to stop the repeated entries.

Dynamic forward, Danielle Higgins, was also impressive early having 12 touches and kicking a good goal on the run. Her day was unfortunately cut short though as she left the field injured in the third quarter. The Cats will be nervously waiting to see how serious it is, considering how important she is to this team.

Richmond better but unable to get their first win

Richmond’s first quarter was their best quarter of footy for the season as they looked up to the challenge of the Cats. However, they were still only just hanging in there having three inside 50’s to Geelong’s eight. Geelong were unable to capitalise due to Phoebe Monahan’s defensive presence as she had an equal game-high seven disposals.

Geelong then burst away in the second quarter as Richmond struggled to handle Geelong’s tackling pressure and clean hands around the contest.

Geelong took advantage of their nine more inside 50 entries, kicking six goals to lead the Tigers by 27 points at half time. It didn’t help that Richmond gave up two 50 metre penalties that both lead to easy goals for the Cats.

Richmond came out firing in the third quarter, kicking four goals in a row and putting the pressure back on Geelong. Courtney Wakefield’s strong hands and clinical goal kicking were impressive up forward as she finished with three goals straight.

Despite lifting their intensity with their repeated efforts, Geelong weren’t ready to give up the lead and continued to be too good in the contest leading the Tigers in disposals, tackles and clearances.

Battle of the Young Guns

Richmond’s Monique Conti lead the disposal count all day with 28 disposals, 13 contested. Her decision-making and evasiveness were on show as she played one of her best games this season, utilising her run and carry out of the middle of the park to find her team mates forward in time and space.

Her defense game was also impressive, continuously putting pressure around the ground with a few strong tackles. Conti was able to get the Tigers back into the game in the third quarter, despite Geelong’s dominant second term, unfortunately she couldn’t quite do enough to get them their first win of the season.

Liv Purcell was equally impressive for the Cats and was a driving force in the contest all game. A stoppage and clearance specialist, Purcell was often found in and under the pack, getting the ball out to her team mates on the outside with ease.

She also kicked a good goal in the third quarter as she crumbed a marking contest right on the goal line. Her ability to apply so much pressure at stoppages allowed Geelong to be so dominant in contested possessions.

Purcell was a key factor in Geelong earning their first win for the season, finishing the day with 20 touches, four tackles and a goal.